If there’s yellow brick, I ain’t followin’.

30Jun

My local Humane Society had a brilliant fund raiser. They set up a showing of “The Wizard of Oz” at our oldest, movie theater, the Palace Twin Theater. The huge auditorium was a packed house. Of course, everyone wanted to revisit an all-time favorite or share it with a new generation.

Let me just start by saying, I enjoyed the evening immensely and was glad to help a local charity. I am thrilled at any chance to view classic cinema on the big screen. Now, let’s be real. “The Wizard of Oz” is one of the scariest movies of all time. No? Yes…it is. I have intentionally avoided this movie for about 35 years or so.

I remember seeing it as a small child…too small with an imagination that was too big. This movie still makes me uncomfortable. I just remember “creepy” everytime I think about it. I was willing to put aside my hang-ups. I decided to view the movie again, with a new perspective…an appreciation for classic cinema and especially movie musicals.

This movie is really dark. No wonder I was creeped out as a kid. I remember when the Wicked Witch of the East was killed. Did I say killed? Yes, and we get to witness the carnage through her stocking striped legs sticking out from under Dorothy’s house. Those legs haunted me. They were death! Things were only made worse when they rolled up & disintegrated. Yikes, people!

Let’s examine the main characters of the movie. The Wicked Witch of the West, that’s a no-brainer. Of course, a “wicked” witch is scary.

Next, let’s take a quick look at the others. Ahhh!

A scarecrow coming to life? Yep, that’s the stuff of nightmares.

A lion with a human face…eebie jeebies. And what about those ears?

How about those Munchkins? Are those demon horns?

Living trees, not too bad…except these aren’t nice, they’re MEAN!

Now, for the scariest part of the entire experience. I will never forget those smirking, blue faces of terror. Flying monkeys, alone, could easily turn this into a horror flick. Their mouths continually move, but they don’t say anything. Double yikes.

In this movie, Dorothy is most likely either crying or looking like she might. Rightfully so, this whole story is grim. Well, now you know. I think this movie is kuh-reepy. Stephen King couldn’t spin a more chilling scenario.

Since I’m confessing, let me add the rest of my Never Let Your Child Watch This list…”Dumbo”, “Pinocchio”, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, and “Alice in Wonderland.” Children’s classics or source of years of therapy?